I looked at Muddy. “What are the chances you’re wrong?”
“I’m not wrong,” Muddy announced.
There was a knock on the den doors.
“Come in,” Muddy called.
The doors slid open, and Brooks appeared. “What’s going on?”
We were silent. Hadley and Salem looked at me.
Finally, I blurted out, “Muddy’s giving me the money for the bookstore.”
“That’s good news,” he said, his eyes bouncing around the entire room, landing on everyone before settling onto me. “Why don’t you look more excited?”
“I’m in shock,” I said.
“Yeah, shock,” Hadley added with a nod.
“We just found that out,” Salem said.
My heart drummed in my ears as Brooks’ gaze remained on me. Like he was trying to decipher what was really going on.
Tension swelled in the room.
Muddy rose. “I’m headed to the bank.”
“I’ll come too,” I said quickly. “I need a ride back to town, anyway.”
“I’ll meet you at the truck,” Muddy said, sidling past Brooks.
My phone rang and I fished it out of my pocket. Wyn’s name flashed across the screen. I silenced her call and pinched the bridge of my nose.
“Freckles?” Brooks asked.
“Headache,” I mumbled. “Lack of sleep, I think.”
“He called her freckles,” Salem stage-whispered to Hadley.
“I heard,” Hadley murmured. “Cute.”
I walked toward Brooks and slipped past him out of the den.
“Are you okay?” he asked me, his tone pitched low.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I lied.
“Okay,” he said, but he didn’t sound like he believed me. “I’ll see you later.”
“Later,” I agreed with a nod.
I left the house and climbed into Muddy’s truck. She already had the engine going. She was silent as we pulled out of the driveway.
I barely registered walking into the bank with her. An hour later, I walked out with a business bank account.
“Did I say thank you?” I asked her. “I don’t remember if I said thank you.”
“You’re welcome, sugar.” She smiled. “I can’t wait to see it when it’s finished.”
